April start inked in for £32m Doncaster tech hub
Contractor Willmott Dixon is gearing up to deliver the 52,000 sq ft facility on Trafford Way, close to Doncaster’s mainline station.
Designed by Bond Bryan, the project was greenlit in January last year, with city leaders then setting out their desire for it to become an AI centre of excellence.
Doncaster-based but globally focussed AI firm Automatic Analytics is among the businesses already cued up to occupy space.
Completion is expected in January 2027 on the project, which is largely funded by the government through the Doncaster Town Deal fund, overseen by the Town Deal Board, a sub-group of the new city centre board.
The development builds on Doncaster’s ambitions to grow a digital and tech cluster of national significance. The creation of a new, specialist digital tech hub and the businesses located there will revolve around digital technology with global AI firm Automatic Analytics among the founding businesses set to take up residence.
Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “This pioneering building – right in the heart of Doncaster city centre at the train station gateway – is part of our plans to regenerate and modernise key areas of the city centre.
“Our aim is to create a new digital hub which will bring exciting new opportunities for Doncaster including jobs, economic growth, increased footfall and put Doncaster at the forefront of the changing economy and technological change as we strive to become a regional Artificial Intelligence Growth Zone.
Gateway One is a partnership effort. Credit: Doncaster Council
“We want Doncaster to become a front runner in digital technology and we are already fast emerging as a centre of excellence for artificial intelligence (AI). This building will act as a magnet for leading digital and tech companies looking for opportunities to scale and grow their business to locate in Doncaster. The building will be a modern environment with improved public spaces and an extension to the recently regenerated railway forecourt.”
The Gateway One development has been designed to achieve net zero carbon emissions and will include an area of public open space. It will span across five floors with two commercial units on the ground floor which incorporate alfresco dining.
Chris Yates, Yorkshire director at Willmott Dixon, said: “Our team of local commercial experts will bring a wealth of experience and innovation to Gateway One. In partnership with City of Doncaster Council, we will create a cutting-edge and sustainable hub where digital and technology businesses can thrive and grow in this city.”
Mark Taylor, chief executive and founder of Automated Analytics: “We are proud to be the anchor tenants of Gateway One as the opportunity to network, collaborate and scale in the City’s Innovation Hub is key to our growth and putting Doncaster firmly on the global map for technology and Artificial Intelligence.
“There is a ’secret sauce’ in Doncaster that enables impossible to become reality, and we look forward to the exciting next chapter that awaits with Gateway One the next milestone in Doncaster becoming a Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence.”
